Spikers - underweight rescue w/ parasites, mbd, etc.

[Mrkngpen]

I have my own 3yo female beardie named Pheeny. She is my baby and couldn't be healthier. I have learned everything I know from this forum. Thank you!

A friend of mine called me on Friday to say that an attorney he works with left his pet beardie in the office while he went on vacation, for the staff to take care of. My friend was calling me because he knew that I was knowledgeable about beardies and he thought that this one looked very sickly. I immediately drove there to check him out. His name is Spiker. I have no idea of his age but he was severely malnourished. He was in a 20g tank that was disgusting with poo all over it. He had already been in the office for 4 days and was going to be there a total of almost 2 weeks. All he had been left to eat was a pile of iceberg lettuce. The staff were given no instructions about feeding him anything else. He had a 18" ReptiGlo 10 that I am guessing is over a year old and a ceramic heat bulb. He is also never handled so was terrified of people. I had to beg the staff to let me take Spiker home for the remaining vacation. They called the owner and got the okay. From comments they made, I have a feeling that I might be able to talk the owners into letting me keep him but I don't know yet.

Okay, so the first thing I did was give him a good bath and scrub the layers of poop off. He didn't enjoy this. While he was soaking, I cleaned the disgusting cage out. I took out all the decorations and put them through two dishwasher cycles (and I'm leaving them out for now). Threw out the reptile carpet and am using shelf liner for now. I am using Pheeny's MegaRay MVB for Spiker for now (she sits in the natural sun in the window most of the day in the summer). His color has already brightened a lot in 4 days. He weighed 240g when I got him home. He ate 10 superworms both the first and second day. He only ate 2 the third day and he hasn't eaten any yet today. I'm guessing he has parasites of some kind. His stool is very runny and he goes more than once a day. I made an appt with my reptile vet for this afternoon at 2pm to get him checked and do a fecal. I feel kind of crazy (my husband will kill me) to be shelling out $75 on a pet that isn't mine but I can't stand to see people abusing an animal like this! I feel like if they see what I was willing to do for a animal that wasn't even mine, maybe they will let me keep him. He has already calmed way down and lets me hold him and snuggle for long periods of time.

I am being very careful about washing my hands and using antibacterial gel in between handling the two. Is there anything else I should consider? Any thoughts, suggestions? I know if he does have parasites that I should get acidophiliz+ for the treatment period. Anyone know how long it takes for the order to arrive from reptilesupply.com? I've never had a sick beardie so I'm kind of overwhelmed.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Sounds like you have the right ideas, so continue with what you are doing. I am in the same situation, with my Boss' dragon. Though he will be returning home once he is clear of parasites.
Normally expect a 4 day shipping on any of Veronika's products.
Janie.

 

[Mrkngpen]

Well, he had a very high count of pinworms. The vet gave one dose of Panacur today and another dose for me to give in two weeks. I wrote an email to the owner, stating as politely as I could that Spike was in a horribly neglected state and that he need to make some major changes in his care. Or if he wasn't willing/able to put in the time and effort to do that, I offered to give Spike a good home. We'll see what he says.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Understood, and congrates on helping out ! Also good luck with the baby
Janie.

 

[Mrkngpen]

I was wrong about Spiker's weight...I forgot that I weighed him wrapped in a towel. His weight is actually 240g and he is 16.5" long. I also found out that he is around 5 years old. I heard back from the owner who said he had just bought a new UV light (the ReptiGlo 10) based on the recommendation of the pet store. He also said that they did feed it kale, carrots and crickets...although I don't know how often. If he has had pinworms for some time, that would explain his lack of appetite and weight loss.

The owner said that he had no idea that Spiker was sick and that his son really does love him, however he realizes it might be better for an "expert" (me) to give Spiker a better home. He said that he would have a long talk with his son and let me know if I can keep him. He is also going to reimburse me for the vet bill, which I didn't expect since I hadn't gotten his okay ahead of time.

He is still showing no interest in supers or greens, so I have been feeding him a syringe full of soy yogurt mixed with Flukers Repta-Aid 2-3 times a day. I'm hoping he gets his appetite back soon. Any suggestions for that? I found some Nolvasan concentrate, so tomorrow I'm going to do a total cleaning and disinfection of his cage now that he's had the pinworm treatment.

Here is a picture of Spiker:

 

[Mrkngpen]

It has now been 4 days that Spiker won't eat any Supers and I'm starting to get worried. He ate on Friday and Saturday, a bit on Sunday and nothing since then. He got treated with Panacur on Monday and I've been giving him soy yogurt mixed with Repta-Aid every day but still no interest in real food. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[zebraflavencs]

You can try some of the softer worms, like phoenix or even wax worms to get him eating again... I am pretty sure that it is the meds causing the lack of appetite. That's good you are using a soy yogurt too! That will help.
Have you tried pedialite ? try mixing the fruity flavor in with the meds and you can also use baby foods chix and squash with the yogurt and the fluids too. Just make a slurry and dab a bit on the nose.
Keep us posted ! Oh and that is awesome that the Lawyer is allowing you to help the whole family with this fellow !
Janie.

 

[Mrkngpen]

It was actually only one dose of Panacur on Monday and then one more dose two weeks later. I'll get some baby food if I can't get him eating today.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Keep us posted ! Hoping for the best !
Janie.

 

[Mrkngpen]

He also just today started doing the aggressive head bobbing (with a black beard) thing. He's been doing it all morning. He can't see my female at all but they are in the same room, so maybe he can smell her? Anyway, I've never had a male before so I'm new to the whole head bobbing thing. It doesn't ever mean they are in pain or anything, right?

 

[Mrkngpen]

I am now officially the owner of Spikers, at least until he gains weight and gets back to health. He has gained 10g in 10 days, so that seems good. Any more input?

 

[babydragondaddy]

Keep him. He needs and deserves better. A child can't raise a dragon correctly, only thier parents can. But when the parents don't either, its time to give em to someone who can. Like you!
He is head bobbin and black beardin because he sences that he is only there temporarily... You shouldn't dissapoint the black beard.

 

[Mrkngpen]

Sorry I wasn't more clear. I just found out from the owner that I could keep him, he won't be taking him back. My husband doesn't want me to have another lizard for good, so we agreed that I would keep Spiker until he gets healthy and then will find a forever home for him. I plan on finding someone who already has beardie/reptile experience and making a home visit first to check the health of their other pets before placing Spikers with them. I expect to have him for a couple months still.

 

[babydragondaddy]

My husband doesn't want me to have another lizard for good

Find a new husband :lol: